LSW FAQs for Landlords

Why should I have work done in my rental unit(s)?

Lead-based paint may be causing an extreme danger to all individuals living in or visiting your property, particularly children under the age of six.

Breathing in lead dust or consuming chips of lead-based paint can cause severe health and development delays to young children, pregnant women and otherwise healthy adults of all ages. The law requires that owners of properties built prior to 1978 maintain dwelling units, common areas of multi-family properties, and child-occupied facilities free of lead-based paint hazards.

Is the removal of lead-based paint hazards required by law?

The law requires that owners of properties built prior to 1978 maintain dwelling units, common areas of multi-family properties, and child-occupied facilities free of lead-based paint hazards.

A lead risk assessment will be conducted (if it has not already occurred) to determine if lead-based paint hazards exist in your property. When it is determined that there is lead-based paint in your property, work will be scheduled to remove the existing hazards.

The Lead Safe Washington program provides funds to property owners to inspect buildings for lead-based paint hazards and, most importantly, remove those hazards to make your home safer.

Could my tenants be permanently displaced or stop paying rent?

No, tenants will never be permanently displaced from units.  By law, some tenants will be required to temporarily be moved during construction and will be compensated accordingly.  Because the Lead Safe Washington Program provides a per diem to all tenants, you will still receive monthly rent for all units occupied at the time of construction.

Do my tenants have to participate by giving documentation?

After you, as the property owner, apply to the program, there is an urgent need for the full participation of your tenants in the application process so work can begin to remove the hazards.

It is essential for renters to provide the required documentation before work begins to remove current hazards of lead-based paint in your property.

Your assistance in encouraging tenant cooperation in this matter is essential and required.

Where do tenants take their documentation?

The Department will assign either Housing Counseling Services or University Legal Services, Lloyd E. Smith Center to collect all necessary information.

As the property owner, what documentation do I have to provide?

Everything on the following list must be provided.  Contact the Lead Safe Washington program to find out more and obtain an application.

• Complete application
• Copy of recorded deed
• Copy of government-issued photo identification for all property owners
• Copy of Department of Finance and Revenue Tax Certification Affidavit
• If property owner is a corporation, master supplier information collection form
• If property owner is a corporation, a W-9 form
• Tenant roster
• Disclosures, they have been made
• Photographs of exterior street-side elevations
• Other documentation if property owner occupies a unit

What documentation do tenants have to provide?

Everything from the following list must be provided:

• Last two paycheck stubs for all adults 18 and older in your household
• Last two years income tax returns (Federal and local)
• Birth certificate(s) for all children under six years old that live with you or visit your unit on a frequent basis
• A copy of photo identification for all adults over 18 years old (Driver’s license or other Government issued ID)
• Copy of any statement of other income (such as Disability, Social Security, Workman’s Compensation etc.)
• One copy of your most recent bank statement

I own more than one property, do I need a separate application for each property I own?

Yes.  Specially trained Lead Safe Washington Project Managers will work with you to complete applications for all eligible properties you own.

How do I apply?

Call the Lead Safe Washington Hotline at (202) 442-7279 to find out more and obtain an application.